New Delhi: Delivering his longest Independence Day speech to date, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 12th consecutive address from the Red Fort, spoke on a host of issues, from ‘Made-in-India’ semiconductors to nuclear energy, GST reforms, a new scheme to incentive employment, energy dependence and self-reliance in defence.
He also spoke about the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), referring to it as the ‘world’s biggest NGO’ and lauding its volunteers for their contributions to nation-building.
The 79th Independence Day address itself, preceded by a Guard of Honour and followed by Modi’s interaction with school children in keeping with the annual practice, lasted 103 minutes. Among those in attendance were the three service chiefs, NSA Ajit Doval and ministers of the Union Cabinet, among others.
ThePrint’s national photo editor Praveen Jain brings you glimpses from the 79th Independence Day ceremony held Friday at the Red Fort in New Delhi.
Modi addressing nation from ramparts of Red Fort for the 12th consecutive year | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi adjust his turban as a gust of wind swishes past the ramparts of the Red Fort | Praveen Jain | ThePrintA bird flies past Red Fort as Modi delivers his Independence Day address | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi raises his fists to make a point during his record-breaking 103-minute Independence Day address | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi highlighting contributions of women including Hansa Mehta and Dakshayani Velayudhan who were at the forefront of the freedom struggle | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi demonstrating a point during his Independence Day address | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi drinks water at the end of his 102-minutes speech | Praveen Jain | ThePrintA squirrel ‘takes guard’ ahead of Guard of Honour at Red Fort | Praveen Jain | ThePrintDefence Minister Rajnath Singh greets Modi upon his arrival at Red Fort | Praveen Jain | ThePrintRajnath walking to his seat after escorting Modi to the ramparts | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi receiving the Guard of Honour presented by 128 personnel from National Flag Guard, IAF, Army, Navy & Delhi Police | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi inspecting the Guard of Honour, a long-held Independence Day tradition | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi waving to the crowd gathered at Red Fort after delivering his marathon speech | Praveen Jain | ThePrintNearly 5,000 special guests, including Anganwadis, Lakhpati Didis, and sarpanchs from across the country attended the 79th Independence Day celebrations at Red Fort | Praveen Jain | ThePrintDefence Minister Rajnath Singh greets Cabinet colleagues Amit Shah, Piyush Goyal and their spouses | Praveen Jain | ThePrintUnion ministers Manohar Lal Khattar and J.P Nadda exchange greetings | Praveen Jain | ThePrintModi’s ministers JP Nadda, G. Kishan Reddy, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Ashwani Vaishnav, Nirmala Sitharaman and Kiren Rijiju along with Delhi CM Rekha Gupta and Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva waving to the crowd | Praveen Jain | ThePrintAir Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, CDS Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi and Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi at Red Fort | Praveen Jain | ThePrintNational Security Adviser Ajit Doval in conversation with Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra | Praveen Jain | ThePrint
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